Joya de Nicaragua Antano Connecticut Toro Review

Joya de Nicaragua Antano Connecticut Toro Cigar Review

10/28/2022

Joya de Nicaragua has been around a long time and has consistently been a top brand know for strong cigars. I'm personally familiar with their original Antano 1970 line, which will make you lay down to recover from its strength if you're not ready for such a strong cigar.  

But this is a Connecticut Shade wrapped cigar so it shouldn't be super bold, but I'm betting it still has strength. I got a 5 pack and this is first I've smoked after 2 months in the humidor. 

I didn't pay too much , not the $9 that they're going for now.  

Starts off with a little spice with a smooth draw. Definitely I can taste Nicaraguan tobaccos, already leaving an earthy toasty taste on your palate. Friday night is usually 4 Rose bourbon for me, but this one, I'd say, would probably do better with a strong beer, like a porter or ale. I'd don't usually drink beers late at night, so I'll keep my bourbon close.  

It's burning pretty good, slight run that I correct. Dropped the one inch ash, not much of a cone. Wind is swirling tonight, blowing smoke in every direction, not the best smoking weather.  

So far it's a solid medium smoke. Hasn't changed much after 25 minutes, same spice hiring your tongue, leaving earthy and toasty tobacco flavors. It's damn smooth for its deep flavors. Very refined. It's like a combination of a creamy mild Dominican and a full bodied Nicaraguan. It's a good late night smoke that won't knock you out.  

Burning perfect now. If you like a lot of pepper, this one will please you. I prefer a little more sweetness, but it has a very slight sweet undertone. Draw is loose and has clouds of smoke.  

I now feel it building strength. Not as much as the 1970, which is too much for me. This one is just right. I can pull hard, tickling my nose with spice, leaving a good flavor with each puff.  

As I said, very refined. Strong flavor but still medium overall.  

Wind finally calmed down now and my wood stopped sizzling, everything burning good.  

Cigar has settled down a bit, more leathery, woody flavor. Very cool smoke. That's the profile of this one. A cool and smooth, easy smoking cigar, with plenty of flavor. No hotness or harshness.  

I don't know about $9, but it does everything good. Might get an hour on this windy night.  

Picking up a lot of pepper and spice the last inch. Like a Serrano pepper now, burning my tongue. Still cool, smooth smoke, but peppery as hell. Looks like I'll be finishing it jamming to Phish What's the Use. A good final guitar jam to signify the subtle strong jam of raw peppery kick. Not harsh, but overpowering your palate with rich tobacco flavors. No fruity bouquet of in your face taste, just raw Nicaraguan flavors. Enough to relax you and satisfy your Friday night. 

Still burning to the nub. OK one more song. Widespread Traveling Light will finish it. Burning my fingers. It's a great smoke.  

Overall: 89

Flavor 88, complexity 87, burn 90, experience 93, value 87